The most controversial love in history

Author: Liu Cong / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: Love: Great? Chaotic? Selfless, Greedy? Some say their love is an expression of pure emotion; some say their love is a lowly and hypocritical performance; some say their love is the sublimation of souls; some say their love is a means to an end. Is it love, or delirium? Is it affectionate, or promiscuous? The old are gone, let the later generations speak.
In 1785, Louis XVI awarded Napoleon Bonaparte the rank of Lieutenant with a military certificate. No one expected that this unknown soldier would shock the world. Napoleon thus entered the army of the kingdom, beginning his military career. At the age of 16, Napoleon received the rank of Lieutenant. After receiving the certificate, Napoleon and a friend rushed to the barracks. Upon arrival, Napoleon was given a temporary lodging permit and stayed with Madam Bu. (Madam Bu was an old spinster who ran an elegant café at the corner of Grande Street and Crescent Street. Soon, the café became a gathering place for local celebrities.) Napoleon settled on the third floor of the café and had his meals at the nearby "Three Pigeons" restaurant. When he had free time, he would go to a nearby bookstore to read. On clear days, Napoleon would take walks in the countryside. Each time, he would rest under a tree for a while (later, a monument was erected under that tree with the inscription: "Hic Napoleon Magus stabat," meaning "Napoleon once rested here.") At the same time, he often visited another café (which is now renamed the "Bonaparte Café").
The locals cherished the things Napoleon left behind and collected them in a museum. Among them, the most precious was a small ivory plaque. It was engraved with a name—Manasca Pieri, to whom Napoleon had proposed. "My reason has been completely lost to the fervent love for her, and it will never return to normal. This is an incurable ailment for anyone." The girl's stepfather strongly opposed the marriage because he was unwilling to marry his daughter to a poor man living on a meager military salary (if they had known, the poor man would have risen to prominence, they would surely regret their decision.) Napoleon felt disheartened. Faced with the reality, he had no choice but to let go. He wrote the girl's name on a decorative item he carried, cherishing it forever.
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